By JACK PALMER

palmer@crescent-news.com

The West Ohio Conference of the Unit-ed Methodist Church has announced several new pastoral assignments, including two in Defiance County.

Rev. Joe Chrisman, pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Defiance since 2003, has been appointed pastor at Mount Blanchard United Methodist Church in southeast Hancock County.

Rev. Katherine Riley, pastor at Sherwood United Methodist Church also since 2003, has been appointed pastor at United Methodist churches in Coolville and Hockingport in Athens County.

Sunday will mark the final worship services at their present churches for Chrisman and Riley. Their appointments are effective June 29.

"It's been a pleasure to serve the good people at Trinity and I wish them well as they look forward to the future," said Chrisman. "I am thankful for all the friendships and relationships at the church and in the community."

He said his wife, Bo, is already involved in additional responsibilities as a lay pastor engaged in spiritual formation with the West Ohio Conference. She previously served as pastor at Grover Hill Zion United Methodist Church.

Chrisman said he looks forward to "new hopes and God possibilities" at Mount Blanchard.

"They want to birth a contemporary service and I'm excited about that," he stated. "I feel strongly that mainline denomination churches in general will survive only if church members are involved in reaching out to others, reaching out beyond church walls. That is essential."

The new pastor at Trinity United Methodist is Rev. George Reed, current intentional interim pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church, Van Wert. He and his wife, Betty, have three adult children. His first Sunday in the Trinity UMC pulpit is June 29.

Riley, who has been active player in the Sherwood community in addition to her pastoral duties, said she will miss the many friends she has made over the last five years.

"Sherwood is a very nice village with good, solid people," she stated. "The church has a strong faith tradition and it was a pleasure to serve here during the celebration of the 50th year of the church in 2005. I wish everyone the best in the future."

Riley, elected vice president of the West Ohio United Methodist Rural Fellowship (UMRF) at last week's annual conferrence at Lakeside, said she is both excited and nervous about her new appointment.

"I've served in that area of Ohio before, but it's been 20 years," she said. "This is a two-point parish, which I've also done before," she said. "The area may be even more depressed economicially than northwest Ohio and I will have to learn how to drive in the hills again. It will take some time to get to know the people."

Riley is thrilled that an elementary school is located across the street from the Coolville church.

"That's exciting," she said. "It's a great opportunity to build up the youth ministry."

Sherwood UMC's incoming pastor is Kevin Sobeck from the St. Marys-Wapakoneta area. His first Sunday is June 29.

Other area pastoral appointments announced recently by Bishop Bruce Ough of the West Ohio Conference, effective June 29, are: Lindy Maurice-Saum, St. Paul UMC and Sharon UMC, Napoleon; Mitch Arnold, Leipsic Greater Multi-site Parish; Bill Bauman, Delta UMC; Barbara Jean Pope, Trinity UMC, Swanton; and Duane Smith, Metamora UMC.